EMERGING TRENDS IN ARCHITECTURE
From the beginnings of history as we know it, architecture has been
one of the defining forces of humanity. Architects and town
planners have left timeless echoes through our past; echoes that
found their essence in culture, art, and formed the very fabric of
civilizations. As both an art and a science, architecture has played a
very important role in mankind’s story. Each era has brought with it
different ways of design thinking ; ways to build community,
preserve political boundaries, and design built environs that are
timeless and so beautiful that they take your breath away!
Looking into the past, we can glean wisdom from the lessons that
we have learnt and forge new tools to take us into the future. What
will the next few years hold in store for architects all over the
world? We study some of the emerging trends in architecture, to
help us get some clues about how our future cities will look.
A Clearer Understanding of the Construct of Space
Tomorrow’s generation is intensely competitive, fiercely
autonomous and does not conform within the framework of
acceptable social norms. The millennials’ way of living is radically
different from that of their parents. Many young people do not feel
the need to get married and start a family. With work becoming an
overarching priority, children are rarely a part of the equation.
Housing that can be shared with friends or co-workers, especially a
home that can also be used as an office is expected to be a popular
choice.
Space efficiency is the new buzzword in architectural circles, and
buildings are now expected to be not only more efficient in terms of
space and energy, but also healthier and more sustainable for future
generations. A bedroom may convert into an office space in the
daytime or a dining area may double up as a conference room.
There is, therefore, a growing trend toward minimalistic spaces that
are flexible and multifunctional. Buildings are expected to be true
to their purpose, and to fulfil a multitude of objectives rather than
just one.
Sustainable Building Themes
Climate change is fast becoming the new reality in countries all
over the world, and sustainable architecture that respects the
environment is going to be the dialogue of the future. Buildings will
seek to be efficient in the use of materials, will utilise innovative
and renewable means of energy, and will not negatively impact the
delicate balance of the ecosystem. New technologies in green
construction will address concerns of reducing waste and pollution,
and increase economy, durability and utility of the built spaces in a
way that is ecologically sustainable.
Some ways of green building that are already making an impact are
using locally available materials and resources, or even better using
recycled waste materials like tyres and bottles or recycled timber
and stone for new constructions. By building thoughtfully, without
waste, we can create an architecture that is inspired and sustainable
for future generations.
Bamboo as a Building Material
Following the ideals of green thinking, bamboo is an essential
material that will be used extensively as a construction staple as it
makes perfect sense and is in total agreement with the environment.
Extremely versatile, energy efficient and strong, bamboo as a
construction material has enormous potential but has been
dramatically underused till the present day.
Traditionally used in hot climate zones in Asia and Latin America,
bamboo architecture is now becoming popular among architects all
over the world who are prioritizing green building and the use of
sustainable building materials. Compared to timber which takes at
least 25 years to mature, bamboo can become fully grown in as
little as three years and has a tensile strength that is, amazingly
enough, higher than that of steel. Besides which, structures made of
bamboo are creative and intrinsically beautiful and take aesthetics
to a whole new level!
Earthquake Resistant Architecture
The growing prevalence of natural disasters such as earthquakes has
necessitated a closer look at innovative housing solutions in times
of emergency. Architects can solve everyday problems through
innovative design, and have time and again risen to face the
challenges and limitations imposed by situations enforced by
disasters.
There is a lot of innovative study and research that is underway in
the exploration of self-construction using experimental methods of
building. Reconstruction techniques for mass housing may include
construction using rammed earth, and other local materials such as
bamboo that is more flexible and resistant to seismic activity. These
new techniques, when implemented, can not only stand up to
nature’s extreme forces but will also be extremely economical,
serving to alleviate the lack of mass housing in poorer countries.
Women in Architecture
A Women in Architecture survey conducted in 2017 in the UK,
North America, and Europe has revealed that when it comes to
gender equality in architecture, we still have a long way to go.
Sexism, bullying, and discrimination are rampant in this profession
as much as in any other; and over half the women who took the
survey reported that they had faced discrimination in practice.
While they worked the same hours or more extended hours than
men in the same position, they were not acknowledged and were
given comparatively lower salaries and bonuses. The next decade is
expected to see a sea change in this culture, with career progression
for women being seen at the forefront of women’s advancement in
the society.
Many movements in public spaces took place in cities across the
world in 2018, and campaigns such as the UN’s “#HeForShe” and
“#MeToo” spread like wildfire on social media and in leading
corporates and institutions all over the world. In the discipline of
architecture too, there has been growing awareness and advocacy
for empowering women in the world of architecture. It is expected
that concrete actions will be enforced to ensure that women earn on
par as men, do not suffer discrimination and are not looked down
upon at the workplace.
Architecture will Become more Hands-on with Architects going
onsite
Many architects feel strongly about the fact that their training at
University level is still largely theoretical and the practical
component is inadequate. This means that they are not equipped
well enough to address practical challenges on-site, and cannot
readily come up with alternative solutions to everyday problems —
which are the need of the hour. This disconnect with the
materialization of projects has resulted in finished projects that are
less than optimal regarding adequate design thinking.
To foster out-of-the-box creativity, and teach a more hands-on
approach, architects now believe that reconnecting with the site on
a regular basis must become the center of practice. By working in
collaboration with core construction teams, architects will get
involved in the entire process and gain a comprehensive
understanding of all aspects of the building.
Smart Buildings
As the internet and new technologies shrink the world, it is a given
that the buildings of the future are going to be rich in technology.
Already, premier office buildings boast of automated building
operations like optimized HVAC systems that control factors like
water flow and temperature controls. Smart building controls
regulate the use of electricity, switching off power supply when
offices are vacated. Mechanized sensors have great potential in the
warehousing industry, remotely monitoring variables such as
humidity, temperatures and light in a cooling or freezing system to
optimize storage conditions. Wireless intrusion systems can
enhance building protection to an unbelievable extent.
Architects have taken on the responsibility of creating built
environments in which the experience of the inhabitants is rich and
meaningful. Smart cities will factor in physical infrastructure, urban
planning and living conditions to make intelligent decisions for the
betterment of our lives…all of which will have a direct impact on
the architecture of tomorrow’s world. With advancements in
technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data
harvesting happening at breakneck speed, the future is going to get
a whole lot smarter.
The rural Architecture will be the New Consciousness
Architecture, through the ages, has always been perceived as a
changing and defining force in society. Today, we are in an exciting
period of innovation and creation. The role of architects in the
future is poised to be very different from what it is today, and at
Rayvat Engineering we do welcome the change!

Ironically, while villages make up over 95% of the global

communities, most architects up until now have been focussing
their work on the cities of the world. With accelerated change
expected in rural communities, architects must focus on creating
better living conditions in these areas. By gaining a deeper
understanding of their present ways of living and vernacular forms
of architecture, architects can guide them through respectful
interventions in the form of project developments that take their
inspiration from the traditional vernacular architecture of these
areas. There is a lot that the world needs to learn from vernacular
forms of building, as it is far more sustainable than the steel and
concrete masses that have become the norm in the cityscapes of
today.

The Influence of Politics on Architecture

Architecture has always depended on the influence of politics, and

with the dissonance between the geographies of the world today,
this influence is only likely to increase. Political habits have a direct
relation to social life, and consequently on buildings and urbanity.
The ruling party of the day largely governs Urban laws on town
planning and zoning and building regulations. Those who hold the
reins of political power also determine the allocation of funding for
architectural and town planning projects. Architects can be seen as
creative people who push the boundaries of politics to achieve
social needs; this process will undoubtedly have a significant
influence on the future growth of our cities.

Social Architecture

Social architecture is fast emerging as a foreseeable trend in

building concepts and is a viable career path for architects who
have an eye on social consciousness. Social architects believe that
the fabric of society can be enhanced by consciously planning and
creating spaces for social interactions to optimize human
relationships and create the right social vibes. They combine
thinking from political sciences, psychology, anthropology and
sociology and inter-related fields to design spaces that enhance the
flow of desired human interactions.

This new approach to designing will be the defining paradigm in

tomorrow’s architecture. Architecture can be effectively used as an
instrument of social control; and by enhancing people’s abilities to
communicate and interact within their built environments, human
efficiency and productivity can be measurably increased.

Advancing Technologies in Graphic Representation

There is some seriously innovative thinking that is happening in

the world of VR and immersive architecture. With radical
advancements in computer graphics, headsets and HD projectors,
futuristic graphics and tracking technology, we can now create
incredibly interactive real-life experiences in conceptual design
thinking. Customers all over the world will soon be able to immerse
themselves in scale models using augmented reality that can be
manipulated, and provide a real-life sense of presence in
environments that are as yet unbuilt. Traditional Representation
Models will soon be completely replaced by hyper-realistic
imagery that is created using new-age digital tools.
The past decade has already seen the initialization of these trends,
with path-breaking changes that have laid the foundation for a
future where traditional concepts are shattered. Today’s projects are
already answering the needs of the future, with innovative designs
seeking to represent the architecture of tomorrow.

In the words of one of the greatest architects the world has ever
seen, Frank Gehry “Architecture should speak of its time and place,
but yearn for timelessness.” What makes Gehry such a visionary is
that he has been able to anticipate and build for the needs of the
future, and this makes his buildings very relevant and
meaningful. Architects are required to be magical crystal ball
gazers who can look ahead and foresee the needs of generations to
come, and Gehry’s signature style exemplifies this.